Raising Support for Latvia Trip

As some of you already know, I've been invited to travel to Latvia (northeast Europe) in May with a group of 10-15 men. Our purpose there is twofold: finish building some cabins in a Christian camp and train church planters throughout the country. 

The Christian camp is located on the western part of the country near the Baltic Sea. It is there that part of our team will be finishing three cabins to make more room for campers. 

Pastor David Fairchild and I will primarily be traveling the country, which is about the size of West Virginia, to visit, train, and pray with young men who are attending or have graduated from the Baltic Pastoral Institute. The vision of this institute is "to see the development of healthy missional pastors who will establish and lead churches and Christ-honoring communities in the Baltic region, beginning in Latvia." 

I'm writing to ask for your support in two ways: First, that you would commit to praying for me and our team as we travel and serve, as well as for Mackenzie and the kids while I'm away. Second, that you would consider a financial contribution, which is tax deductible, to offset the $2500 cost of the trip. (For those of you thinking about getting me a birthday present this month, here's a great option for you!)    

To make a financial contribution: 

• Make checks payable to National Christian Foundation
• Include "The Bell Foundation of Hope Fund (629370)" in the memo field
• Send/Give the check to me so I can send them all together

Feel free to share this information with anyone else you think might be interested in contributing. 

Thank you for your prayers and consideration. I look forward to sharing my experience with you when I return. 

Reading List 2013

For the last few years, I've compiled the list of books I'd like to read for the year. It helps me intentionally decide what I plan on reading, but it also allows me some level of accountability. Despite becoming parents to two amazing kids in early 2012, I did manage to read most of the books on my list. As 2013 begins, I'm hoping to devote a few more minutes each day to reading.

So here goes...

Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson (This was recommended to me by my sweet friend Teresa.)

Time Peace: Living Here and Now With a Timeless God by Ellen Vaughn  (A favorite author of my friend Trisha.)

Attaching in Adoption by Deborah D. Gray (Recommended to us as the best attachment book around.)

Who Do You Think You Are? by Mark Driscoll (For the next 16 weeks, our church will focus on the book of Ephesians. I'm excited to read Pastor Mark's new book, hear him preach through Ephesians, and work through it in community group and women's ministry.)

Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot

Joni and Ken: an untold love story by Joni Erickson Tada

Fit to Burst: Abundance, Mayhem, and the Joys of Motherhood by Rachel Jankovic

Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching, and Appreciating Boys by Hal and Melanie Young

Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe by Sally Clarkson (She is the author of The Mission of Motherhood, which I read last year. It was amazing, so I have high hopes for this as well.)

I'll also be reading my Bible. I'm planning to study the minor prophets in the Old Testament, because I haven't spent much time with those books. I'm excited for how God will use them in my life this year.

Do you have a reading list? Anything you think I should add?

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Oh give thanks to The Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!" -1 Chronicles 16:8

Over the month of November, we've been talking about thankfulness with our kids. At breakfast, we've each been sharing something we're thankful for...the ideas have been awesome. Our girl has been thankful for bees, the tree in our front yard, her pajamas, the pictures on the wall, among others. It is awesome each morning to ask her what she's thankful for and to hear her answer instantly. It is a beautiful reminder to be thankful for everything...even what often goes unnoticed.

Cliff has also been taking us through a variety of Scripture related to thankfulness. It has been really encouraging to talk about these with the kids and reflect on how my heart isn't inclined to thankfulness. It is so easy to complain, but when I stop and pray, the Holy Spirit is faithful to remind me of all the many blessings in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Fall

This is my favorite time of year.

The trees turn beautiful colors. The mornings are cool and crisp. Boots can be worn, cozy scarfs make their way out of the back of the closet, and pumpkins decorate doorsteps.

Even though the rain has started to fall, it doesn't change how I feel about this time of year. As the holidays approach, the leaves fall, Thanksgiving turkeys are sold, and Christmas decorations go up, I want to enjoy each day...not rushing from one holiday to the next, but to savor each day.

Preschool

Our sweet girl started preschool in September. We're very thankful she gets to go to a local public school that hosts an integrated preschool. Which means that in her class, half of the students have some type of disability and the other half are considered typically developing peers. As one of the students who is typically developing, it provides Z with lots of opportunities to lead and model for other students.

Also, her teacher is not only fantastic, but she's also a friend. Her teacher goes to our church and has been such a huge blessing through this transition...from first suggesting the school to us to providing suggestions for at home skill development. She is a huge blessing to our family.

Our girl LOVES school. She asks if it is time to go the instant her clothes are on for the day. She is always excited to put on her owl backpack and head out the door with daddy. It is perfect timing, as she's there four mornings a week, giving our little boy and I some sweet time together.

It is a wonderful situation, and one I'm abundantly thankful for.

Supporting Adoption

As many of you know, we're in the process of adopting our two kids through the foster care system. That's how we feel burdened to respond to God's call to care for the orphan, but there are many ways each of us can do that. For some, it means helping and serving those who adopt. For others, it is adopting a child.

Some friends of ours are pursuing adoption in Latvia. It is amazing to hear their story and how much God is teaching both of us through this waiting process, despite the vast differences between an international adoption and a local foster/adopt situation. One of the huge differences between the two paths is the cost.

Through a link on Facebook, I recently discovered an awesome website. The website is called Give 1, Save 1. There is a site for Africa, Asia, domestic adoptions, and Europe (coming soon). The premise is that each week they post a profile of one family pursuing adoption. They ask each visitor to the site to give $1 (or more) to the family of the week. There is a profile, sometimes a video, and you learn about the way that family is trying to bring the child into their home.

I was struck by this idea...so simple, yet incredibly powerful. One dollar. That really isn't much money over the course of the week. I can easily walk into the dollar aisle at Target and spend $1 on something my kids will play with for five minutes. How about investing that dollar in a child, in a family?

So, my plan is to give $1 every Monday to the highlighted family on the Give 1, Save 1 website. It is a very small way, on a weekly basis, to be reminded of the unbelievable way God has provided for us as we've walked the road of adoption. It is also a tangible reminder to the person I'm giving to, that I support their adoption and their response to God's command to care for the fatherless.

Will you join me in the weekly Give 1, Save 1 donation?

Tucker James: A Tribute

It was a sad day at the Ellis household. We had to put our twelve year old golden retriever, Tucker, down tonight. He was likely having heart failure and just wasn't doing well.

While it was a difficult decision, we're thankful he's not suffering any more, and grateful for the six years we had with him in our home and family. He was certainly stubborn and a bit lazy, but he had a sweet disposition, and was a joy to have around (as long as you kept your hand on his head).

He will be missed--not only by us, but by his goofy brother, Gunner. Below are some of our favorite pictures of our boy, Tucker James.